Urological device for the incontinent male

Abstract

The present invention features a device to prevent the unwanted flow of urine in incontinent human males. This penile clamp is designed to provide an external pressure applied to the underside of the penis at the base thereof to close the urethral canal. The apparatus includes a rigid projection on the lower member of the device that applies a concentrated force on the canal. The upper bar of the device provides an attachment for a pad as an integral part of an easily disinfected clamp that is hinged at one end and provided with an adjustable tensioning closure device at its other end. The closure device is easily removable to allow one hand release of the penis restriction. A screw-type adjustment is easily set and is easily disassembled by a quick-release apparatus. While the clamp can be closed over the penis of an incontinent male to prevent urination, it does not appreciably restrict blood flow therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit from U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 268,298 which was filed on Feb. 13, 2001 entitled Urological Clamp for Male Incontinence. The entire contents and disclosures of the above application being hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention pertains to a device for restricting the flow of urine through the penis of a male and providing for the voluntary release of urine, and, more particularly, to an easily adjustable, penis-clamping apparatus for incontinent males.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]While male incontinence is a common and often neglected problem, the distress, embarrassment and inconvenience imposed on individuals suffering from involuntary urination warrants the development of non-invasive solutions to this condition.[0004]To date, one of the common means of preventing the involuntary flow of urine in incontinent males has been to clamp the penis via a device that become...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

To date, one of the common means of preventing the involuntary flow of urine in incontinent males has been to clamp the penis via a device that becomes painful, socially restrictive and difficult to keep clean.

Such devices cause pressure to be applied upon the urethra, which consequently restricts the flow of urine through the penis.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the ratchet recess portion, inadvertent pressure against one or both of the sides of the device can cause a tightening of the device and a subsequent, excessive or pathological constriction of the penis.

This device, too, has a ratchet-type closure mechanism that is subject to the same types of difficulties regarding any inadvertent bumping or touching thereof.

This device also has a ratchet recess portion, which is also subject to the same problems as experienced with Timmons.

Unfortunately, as lint and other foreign materials become embedded in the operating mechanism (i.e., hooks and eyes) of the material, Velcro® has a tendency to become less efficient.

Over a period of time, therefore, such devices become less useful.

The tension appears to be predetermined, and the release of the penis is accomplished by completely removing the device, thus making use thereof at a urinal impossible.

While trying to operate the device, there is also a certain risk involved in dropping any of the parts thereof.

While this will create sufficient pressure to stop the flow of involuntary urine, there is the risk of reducing or stopping the blood flow to the penis.

In addition, the mechanism is not convenient for voluntary urination as the complete device must be removed and reapplied using both hands.

However the disadvantage of this device is the hinge-jaw design and the establishment of an uneven pressure distribution on the penis.

The disadvantage of this device is that it folds along the length of the penis and requires a substantial length of shaft for placement.

In addition, there is no means of adjusting the amount of pressure applied to the penis to occlude the urethra.

The foregoing approaches to alleviating the problem of urinary incontinence in men leave much to be desired, since these designs offer little in the way of comfort or convenience for the user.

In addition, none of these clamps is easy to clean, or are any capable of adjusting pressure directly upon the urethra.

It should be obvious to the casual observer that such devices are neither comfortable nor efficient in resolving the problems imposed by an incontinent condition.

In fact, such clamps are sometimes not only unworkable, but are actually dangerous when residual urine bums the skin or when inadvertent tightening causes penile constriction.

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